generous error

[nimsooze]

"This is a generous kind of error."
Is the overall tone of this sentence ironic? what does "generous" mean here?

[fromatto]

Originally Posted by nimsooze

"This is a generous kind of error."
Is the overall tone of this sentence ironic? what does "generous" mean here?

It is not at all clear what it means, so the writer might be being ironic or even sarcastic.

If the British and American governments say that they have been responsible for over a million deaths in Iraq, this might a generous kind of error if they have only been responsible for half a million.

[nimsooze]

"Generous " is usually a positive adjective and used for celebration ,while "error" is negative. Now, the combination?

[fromatto]

Originally Posted by nimsooze

"Generous " is usually a positive adjective and used for celebration ,while "error" is negative. Now, the combination?

'Generous' need not be positive, as you yourself have pointed out. With the appropriate tone, it can be negative or sarcastic. For example, 'the invaders were generous and spared the women and children'.